Lem’s latest: Sanders died protecting his daughter

A manhunt is ongoing for the three gunmen deemed responsible for the death of former WBO heavyweight titleholder Corrie Sanders, the talented South African southpaw whose second-round knockout of Wladimir Klitschko was among the sport’s major upsets in 2003.

Sanders, 46, died early Sunday in Pretoria, South Africa, after being shot by robbers at a restaurant during a robbery gone bad at a family member’s 21st birthday party.

Police Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said that Sanders was killed as a result of three armed men entering the venue Saturday night in Brits, in South Africa’s North West province, with the apparent intention to robbing it.
According to at least one report, Sanders lay across his 15-year-old daughter, Marinique, while the robbers were shooting randomly, and had whispered to her pretend she was dead.

Long Island light heavyweight Joe Smith dropped Yasin Rashid four times during Saturday night’s third-round knockout for his fifth straight win, rising to 11-1, with 11 stoppages at The Resorts World Casino. Rashid, of Brooklyn, slipped to 7-3 with two KOs.

Melson (10-1, 4 KO’s) turns 31 on Oct. 16, and is coming off this past Saturday’s six round decision over Yolexcy Leiva at Resorts World Casino, Queens.

The main event will feature a rematch between RING, WBA and WBC junior welterweight champ Danny Garcia and four-division title-winner Erik Morales, preceded by WBA welterweight belt-winner and Brooklyn native Paulie Malignaggi making the first defense of his belt against Pablo Cesar Cano.

A 2008 U.S. Olympian who will be after his third consecutive stoppage win against White, Ali’s World Kid Promotions is presenting the show, which has been dubbed “Rising Olympian Star In The Big Apple.”